Liverpool have wished club legend Alan Hansen a happy birthday days after it was confirmed he had been admitted to hospital with a serious illness.

Hansen, who won eight league title and three European Cups during a legendary stint with the club, turned 69 on Thursday, with the Reds keeping the defender in their thoughts. They posted on social media: “We’re all thinking of Alan and his family on his 69th birthday.”

On Sunday, Liverpool released a statement on behalf of Hansen’s family, issuing an update on his health which read: “The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital.

“A defender of the utmost elegance, Hansen’s outstanding raft of honours across a 14-year spell with the Reds – he joined from Partick Thistle in 1977 – included eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups.

“‘Jocky’, as he was known by teammates, is in the top 10 for all-time appearances for the club having played 620 matches, and the Scottish centre-back also served as Liverpool skipper for four seasons.

“The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to provide our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family.

“We will provide any further updates as we receive them in due course, and we request that the Hansen family’s privacy is respected at this time.”

• Alan Hansen has moved away from the limelight since leaving Match of the Day, but was seen in July 2023
• Hansen stepped away from our screens in 2014

Hansen’s former teammate John Aldridge sent his best wishes. The former striker’s message said: “All our thoughts has ex lfc players are with Alan (Jockey) Hansen and his family. Let’s hope he can pull through his illness.”

Hansen is married to wife Janet and they have a son, Adam and a daughter, Lucy.

Scotland’s Euro 2024 camp also sent a message of support to Hansen, with assistant John Carver telling reporters in Germany: “I would just like to pass a message on to say that everybody, the players, the staff, everybody connected with the SFA, are really thinking about himself and his family because it is an extremely difficult time.

“The biggest thing that I noticed was that he was a fantastic defender but he was a ball playing centre-half He was probably one of the first that I can remember seeing play.

“The way he stepped out with the ball, he was so graceful and that’s why I remember him. He was obviously at one of the top sides in the world at the time, winning European Cups, winning everything in sight, so a proper legend in the game.”

Hansen ended his playing career in 1991, widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. He subsequently went onto become one of the most iconic faces in football punditry – and was a regular in all of BBC’s sporting output, including Match of the Day.

Tributes poured in from former colleagues following the announcement, including MOTD host Gary Lineker, who posted on social media: “Horrendous news. Thoughts are with Alan, Janet and all the family.”

Hansen’s former teammate John Aldridge sent his best wishes. The former striker’s message said: “All our thoughts has ex lfc players are with Alan (Jockey) Hansen and his family. Let’s hope he can pull through his illness.”

Hansen is married to wife Janet and they have a son, Adam and a daughter, Lucy.